THE BIG QUESTION

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 179, 30 August 1929, Page 6

THE BIG QUESTION

Per Press Association.

NO LICENSING LEGISLATION THIS SESSION. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S REPLY.

* WELLINGTON, Last night. "There will be no licensing bill this session, or during this Parliament," said Sir Joseph Ward to-day in reply to a deputation from the New Zealand Alliance. "As far as I. can judge, this Parliament will be constituted next session similarly to what it is now. What you have to do is to exereise your influence on the minds of the people at the next election so as to get them into line with your views as against those wliich prevail in the present House." Alr Edmond (secretary of the Alliance) : The present House Is stronger than last. Sir Joseph: It is not strong enough. Mr Edmond : It would be as well to test it. Sir Joseph: Not if you were in my place. Alr Edmond put the requests of the Alliance, the lirst plank being a simple majority with only two issues. If there wei-e three issues they wanted the matter decided on a pevferential voting. Other requests weie for no license to Tongariro Cliateau. wliich was in the King Country, and restriction on cabarets. Otiier matters concerned the position with regard to bars in hotels, and the needs for attention, also bottle stores, which were domg tremendous damage to the social life of the communitv. Sir Joseph said he would not agree to he responsihle for tlie introduction of a bill in tlie Honse as at present constituted. It would be inviting not only diseord but an attempt at legislation which it would not be possiblo to go 011 with. Tt was only fair to say it would he powerless for him to give effect to the wishes ot the deputation even if he were favourablv inelioed towards them, becanse so far as he could see the present House was against lif'pnsinfr lofislafion.

Hc wonld give attention to the other matters brought under liis nqtiee. He would bring before the Public Trustee ohservations which- had been made in respect to his offico. Tt would require the altevation of tlie law in regard to the administration of wills if the wislies of the deputation wero to be adopted, Sir Josenli Ward said, howei'er, that the sentimental side of the matter carried weiglit with him. _ AYitli regard to the brewcry license at Otahuhu, he. regretted it had been issued. Tt had been issued by tbe Customs Afinister witli tlie verv bevst intentions. but be agreed tlie matter sb o n Id "liave come betore Cabinet as a matter of administration : but nointed out that in the past siirh lieenses had not come before Cabinet. FTe agreed it should not have been issued, espeeiallv 'when tbe, brewery was close to a Presbvterian institution ulieve tliere were ehildren.